🥃 Südtiroler Obstler
Clear distillate of apples, or of apples with pears, grown, fermented and distilled in the province of Bolzano. Protected EU name, at least 40% ABV.
Südtiroler Obstler, in Italian Obstler dell'Alto Adige, is a protected EU name for a clear distillate of apples, or of apples with pears. The fruit is grown, stored and fermented in the autonomous province of Bolzano, where it is also distilled, diluted and bottled. Pears may supply no more than 15% of the alcohol. The spirit must be at least 40% ABV.
What Obstler is. The German word Obstler means a spirit distilled from several kinds of fruit, most often apples and pears. Apples and pears have grown in South Tyrol for centuries, often at altitude, and distilling this mixture is, according to the technical description, deeply rooted in local culture.
How it is made. Distillers watch the fruit ripen on the trees and after harvest. The mash is fermented at a low temperature, distilled in pot or column stills below 86% ABV with heads and tails removed, and diluted with local water. Methanol may not exceed 1,000 g, and ethyl acetate and aldehydes must stay below 250 g per hectolitre of pure alcohol.
Bottling and additions. Obstler is bottled at the same producer and is not sold in bulk. Up to 20 g of sugar per litre may be added, and whole fruit may be added after distillation; caramel is allowed only after 12 months of ageing in wood. The aroma is fresh and fruity, and the taste is clean and lasting.
Why it matters to you. The name Südtiroler Obstler guarantees local apples, pears making up no more than 15% of the alcohol, and bottling at the distillery that made it. It is a strong spirit of at least 40% ABV. The WHO notes that there is no safe amount of alcohol.
Facts
| EU category | category 9, fruit spirit; protected Italian name |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Regulation (EU) 2019/787; technical description Ref. Ares(2015)4244601 |
| Raw material | apples, or apples with pears, from South Tyrol; pears up to 15% of the alcohol |
| Distillation method | pot or column still, below 86% ABV, with heads and tails removed |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | at least 40% ABV; methanol up to 1,000 g/hl, sugar up to 20 g/l |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Südtiroler Obstler → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🥃 Distillation
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Fruit spirit
- Related to
- 📍 South Tyrol
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Fränkischer Obstler, 🥃 Distillato di mele trentino, 🍏 Cider spirit and perry spirit, 🥃 Südtiroler Enzian, 🥃 Südtiroler Enzian, 🥃 Südtiroler Golden Delicious, 🥃 Südtiroler Golden Delicious, 🥃 Südtiroler Gravensteiner, 🥃 Südtiroler Gravensteiner, 🥃 Südtiroler Kirsch
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Obstler is a mixture of any fruit?
Not for Südtiroler Obstler: only apples or apples with pears are allowed, and pears may supply no more than 15% of the alcohol.
Where does the fruit for Südtiroler Obstler come from?
It is grown, stored and fermented in the autonomous province of Bolzano, in South Tyrol.
What is the strength of Südtiroler Obstler?
At least 40% ABV; the general EU limit for fruit spirits is 37.5% ABV.
Can Südtiroler Obstler be bought in bulk?
No. The technical description requires bottling at the producer, so it is not sold in bulk.
How does it differ from Fränkischer Obstler?
They are different protected names: Fränkischer Obstler comes from fruit of Franconia in Bavaria, while Südtiroler Obstler comes from South Tyrol and has a limit on the share of pears.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍏 Cider spirit and perry spirit — Distilled cider or perry (EU category 10): from 37.5% vol., no flavourings; 9 protected names, calvados among them.
- 🥃 Südtiroler Marille — Clear distillate of fermented apricots in the province of Bolzano, with a light note of bitter almond. Protected EU name, at least 40% ABV; sugar up to 20 g per litre.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
- 🥃 Südtiroler Enzian — Clear distillate of fermented yellow gentian roots from the province of Bolzano. Protected EU name, at least 40% ABV, with at least 10 kg of dry roots per hectolitre of pure alcohol.
Similar
🥃 Südtiroler Gravensteiner · 🥃 Südtiroler Golden Delicious · 🥃 Südtiroler Marille · 🥃 Wachauer Marillenbrand · 🥃 Dolenjski sadjevec · 🥃 Fränkischer Obstler
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- eAmbrosia (EU GI register), technical file 'Südtiroler Obstler'/'Obstler dell'Alto Adige', Ref. Ares(2015)4244601 (English): apples, or apples and pears, grown, stored and fermented in South Tyrol; pear alcohol ≤ 15 % of total; methanol ≤ 1000 g/hl a.a.; min. 40 % vol.; ethyl acetate and aldehydes < 250 g/hl a.a.; distilled < 86 % vol.; bottled at the producing facility, not sold in bulk; sugar ≤ 20 g/l
- eAmbrosia (EU GI register), technical file 'Südtiroler Obstler'/'Obstler dell'Alto Adige', Ref. Ares(2015)4244601 (Italian original)
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III as at 31.01.2020 (legislation.gov.uk): Italy — Südtiroler Obstler/Obstler dell'Alto Adige (9. Fruit spirit)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I: category 9 — fruit spirit (only fruit, distilled < 86 % vol., min. 37.5 % vol., no added alcohol, not flavoured)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)